Beaches of Basilicata
Basilicata West area
West Basilicata overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea only by a small strip of land located between Campania and Calabria which presents the only municipality in the region bordering upon the waters: the town of Maratea, in the province of Potenza. Maratea is an ancient place and full of history, with several archaeological sites, a large number of churches, historic buildings and monuments and is surrounded by a breathtaking natural landscape. There are several beaches, both free and equipped with beach resorts.
( Potenza )
The Coves of Maratea are small-sized beaches wedged between rugged outcrops of rock and thick vegetation bordering the Gulf of Policastro.
The creeks are suitable places for tourists looking for a deeper contact with nature and for lovers of peace, being a place difficult to reach.
Here the scuba divers gather to admire the fauna and marine flora, supported by the clearness of the water.
On the contrary, the Cala Jannita is a very popular beach. It is also known as “Black Beach” because of the dark color of the sand. Behind Cala Jannita there are hills covered by a thick wood virtually pristine that is part of the Natural Park of Illicini, accessible by footpath. Tourists who go to Cala Jannita remain fascinated by the beauty of the Cave of Sciabella.
It is part of Castrocucco, a fraction of Maratea, the Cala d’a Gnola. This cove, unlike other listed nearby Maratea, has behind it a flat plot. It overlooks a clear blue sea and is equipped with bathing establishments with satisfactory services. The Cala d’a Gnola is a very windy place and this feature makes it an ideal destination during the long periods of summer stuffiness, when the air is still and hot.
Still in town of Castrocucco there is the Cala della Secca. From the north of Cala d’a Gnola you can follow a path carved into the mountain and reach this beautiful place, a tiny shingle beach visited not much frequently: it is the ideal destination for those who want to spend some time in peace and quiet, away from the hustle and the bustle.
Basilicata East area
The South-East region of Basilicata overlooks the Ionian Sea and belongs to the province of Matera. Here the width of the coast is far greater than the Tyrrhenian side and there are more beaches used for tourism.
( Matera )
One of the most famous seaside resorts of Basilicata is undoubtedly Metaponto. This town has ancient origins, having been founded in the mid-seventh century BC and becoming an important colony of Magna Grecia.
Both for the significant historical importance (there is an Archaeological Park which contains the remains of the temple of Apollo Licio and the agora) and for the beauty of the landscape and beaches, Metaponto each year attracts thousands of tourists.
Its golden beaches, bathing establishments, restaurants, hotels and of course its clean and crystal clear turquoise sea are the delight of vacationers. Although the establishments are numerous, there are also large tracts of increasingly popular public beach.
Another destination of Basilicata renowned for the beauty of its coastline is Policoro. Policoro was a colony of Magno Grecia too and is located just off from the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Eraclea.
The sunny town of Policoro has large stretches of sandy and pristine beaches, interspersed occasionally by woods and Mediterranean scrub. Some stretches are so poorly attended and so pristine that sea turtles Caretta Caretta lay their eggs in the sand.
The seabed is low and sandy, the water is crystal clear. In particular, the Wood of Pantano near Policoro is a protected area of WWF.
Policoro also houses some bathing establishments at the Lido di Policoro, an area much more exploited for tourism where you can find all the entertainment and the usual attractions of the busiest seaside resorts.
A more sheltered and quiet place is instead the Terzo Cavone beach in the town of Scanzano Jonico. This beach owes its name to the river that flows nearby. The Terzo Cavone beach consists of fine sand and is surrounded by pine groves that provide shelter from the sun to tourists who choose it for their holidays. The clean and clear sea is home of many fishes, so you can find near the coast the local fishermen whose presence makes the landscape even more distinctive and authentic.